Weekend preview: Bus Looping, beer chugging and Amy Tan's sexy boots

The 30th annual Miami Book Fair International — which brought cultural cachet to South Florida long before the Art Baselers came to town in their skinny jeans and funny glasses (funny jeans and skinny glasses?) — opens its arms in that way that it does this weekend with the annual Street Fair.

The outdoor, family-friendly event will fill the streets around Miami Dade College (300 NE Second Ave., Miami) with more than 200 booksellers, music, kids’ activities and food from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday through Sunday.

Among the music offerings will be a special performance by the Band Formerly Known as the Rock Bottom Remainders, the all-author garage band that over the years has included such ersatz rockers as Dave Barry, Stephen King, Roy Blount Jr., Michael Dorris, Matt Groening, Barbara Kingsolver, Greil Marcus, Mitch Albom, Scott Turow and Amy Tan (see video below).

With the slogan “Over 350 million books sold, 40 New York Times No. 1 best-sellers, one lousy band,” the group has been a mainstay of the festival since the Rock Bottom Remainders formed in 1992. But things changed in May of last year when founding member Kathi Kamen Goldmark lost a long battle with breast cancer. The remaining members decided that was the end of the road for the band.

But at 6 p.m. Saturday, the group will reunite for a Street Fair performance that also calls attention to “Hard Listening: The Greatest Rock Band Ever (of Authors) Tells All,” an e-book released last summer that offers “the behind-the-scenes, uncensored story of their two decades of friendship, love, writing, and the redemptive power of rock ’n’ roll.” Contributions to the book, edited by Goldmark’s husband, Sam Barry (Dave’s brother), include a new short story and a new essay from Stephen King.

Saturday’s performance will include a guest appearance by rock legend Roger McGuinn. All author proceeds from the sales of “Hard Listening” will be donated to offset Goldmark’s medical bills. For more on the book, go to RockBottomRemainders.com.

ROCKING FOR THE PHILIPPINES A local effort to raise money for victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines will gather an impressive list of classic-rock do-gooders for a Nov. 30 benefit show at Boca Raton’s Mizner Park. The free concert will include Ambrosia, Melanie, Wayne Nelson of Little River Band, Mark Stein of Vanilla Fudge, Terry Sylvester of the Hollies, saxophonist Phil Kenzie and the Livesays performing from 5 to 11 p.m. The event is sponsored by the Biocol Clinic Foundation, created by local physician Dr. Mitchell Schuster, which is “dedicated to providing medical care and disaster relief services to villages and rural areas worldwide.” The Biocol Clinic Foundation has two clinics in the Phillippines. A silent auction, raffles and a by-donation meet-and-greet with some of the performers are among the ways to contribute. More info: BicolClinic.org.

100-DOG NIGHT’Tis the season for charitable drinking on wheels … The inaugural Dog Rescue Bus Loop will run the festively inclined to bars in Boca Raton and Deerfield Beach from 6 to 11 p.m. Friday to raise money for 100+ Abandoned Dogs of the Everglades. Tickets cost $30 advance, $35 at check-in at the Dubliner (435 Plaza Real) in Boca Raton’s Mizner Park or at 2 Georges at the Cove (1754 SE Third Court) in Deerfield Beach. Info: 100PlusAbandonedDogsOfEvergladesFlorida.com. The inaugural Turkey Bus Loop comes to Fort Lauderdale on Nov. 27, with tickets a mere $20 if you pay before Nov. 25. The Turkey Loop has some spots new to Loopers, including Shuck N’ Dive, Shula Burger and Himmarshee Public House. Remember, designated drivers ride free. Info: 954-574-6000, BusLoop.org.

THREE-BEER 4KBecause the Bus Loop moves too quickly for some people, there is Tap 'N' Run, the beer-drinking, costume-wearing, fun run returning to downtown Fort Lauderdale at 2 p.m. Dec. 7. As you may remember, the multicity Tap ‘N’ Run series involves running a 4K course interrupted by three beer-chug stations where you will down a 5-ounce beer (you can opt for water instead). The Fort Lauderdale run begins and ends in the Himmarshee District, with a post-race awards party that includes a full beer, presentation of the T-shirt and finisher’s medal (it doubles as a beer opener) and separate awards in categories ranging from best team concept to best mustache and shortest shorts. To register, go to TapNRun.com.

A TWENTY FOR KWELIAfter opening for Macklemore and Ryan Lewis at Miami’s AmericanAirlines Arenaon Sunday, rapper Talib Kweli will stick around to do a set inside the AAA’s exclusive Hyde lounge, an intimate performance open to all for a $20 cover. Doors open at midnight. Info: HydeAAArena.com. Macklemore and Ryan Lewis will go on at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $35-$45 via Ticketmaster.

DOCK THE HALLSHard to beat the back patio and dock at the Riverside Hotel to watch the Winterfest Boat Parade, but you know how quickly it sells out … But, this just in, there are tickets available for the Dec. 14 festivities. Options include stadium seating ($30) with its access to food vendors; the Dock Party ($75, which includes open bar 6-8 p.m. and access to food vendors); and the River Patio Party ($125, with open bar 6-8 p.m. and hors d’oeuvres). The free afterparty at Laura Ward Park from 8 to 11 p.m. includes cash bar and DJ. The hotel is at 620 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale. Info: 954-467-0671, WBP2013.qrickets.com.

A PARTY VIBE“A Little Party Never Killed Nobody” — a quote lifted either from F. Scott Fitzgerald or Fergie — is the name of Friday night’s third-anniversary party at Vibe Las Olas (301 E. Las Olas Blvd.). The Gatsby-themed event, which organizers are comparing to Vibe’s infamous Maxim parties for flash (or is it flesh?), will include an open bar from 9-10 p.m. and a parade down Las Olas Boulevard by the Miami Heat Street Band. Because that’s how they roll. Info: 954-713-7313, VibeLasOlas.com.

GIFT GUIDE?Not that this is what they had in mind, of course (of course), but Il Divo will put tickets for their May 8 Fillmore show on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Just in time for, well … Get them at all Ticketmaster outlets for $49.50-$146. Info: 305-673-7300, FillmoreMB.com.

SKATE LAS OLASGet an early taste of Winterfest and Christmas on Las Olas (Dec. 3) at Family Fun Day noon-4 p.m. Sunday on the Riverside Hotel lawn. Live entertainment (including the "Gator Boys" Road Show), seasonal treats and libations are part of the event, which also features the opening of the 1,800-square-foot Skate Las Olas synthetic ice rink. Skate rentals cost $10 per 30 minutes. Info: WinterfestParade.com.

HOW TO STUFF A WILD BIKINIIn case you were wondering why you can’t find an egg white around here, the Broward Center for the Performing Arts this weekend will be home to the NPC National Bodybuilding Championships, with winners being crowned in bodybuilding, figure, bikini and physique categories. Tickets: $50-$125. Info: 954-462-0222, BrowardCenter.org.

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